• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

S·B Long Interiors

Award-Winning Residential Interior Design Firm in Dallas

  • About
    • S·B LONG INTERIORS
    • ABOUT SUSAN
    • Inspirations
  • Projects
    • Country
    • City
    • Water
    • Commercial
    • Before/After
    • Special Projects
  • Services
    • Turnkey Interior Design
    • Designer For A Day
  • Press
    • Magazines
    • Books
    • Web
    • Awards
  • Blog
  • Contact

Blending Styles: Modern and Traditional, Part I

April 11, 2013 by Susan Bednar Long 2 Comments

Throughout my design work, I’ve always been strongly attracted to rooms that blend both modern and traditional sensibilities. I find these two styles particularly complimentary, and I often play with combinating them in my clients’ homes.

There are several ways to blend these styles, but one of my favorites is to mix modern and traditional furniture in one space. Too many pieces from different eras can look chaotic, so I always strive to keep the look balanced by letting one style dominate. For example, I’ll plant modern side tables between traditional sofas and chairs in a living room, or mix traditional chairs with a modern dining table and sideboards.

Usually, I look for pieces that are just a few degrees apart—they may be similar in color, texture, or types of materials used. Below are a few rooms in which I’ve used this approach.

This modern cerused wood dining table, ebony stained chairs and black iron pendant lamp provide a nice balance to the traditional Christopher Peacock built-in hutch. I like the juxtaposition of the dark wood against the light walls and cabinetry.

A few modern statement pieces can go a long way in enlivening a collection of traditional furnishings. Here, the white faux croc studded tea tables, graphic pillows, coral lacquer parsons bedside tables, and Flokati rug balance the more classic canopy bed, love seat and tufted armchairs.

I love the traditional feel of these lustrous Ralph Lauren overstuffed chairs, but their expansive silhouettes risked weighing the room down. I had the seat cushions reupholstered in complementary bold striped fabric to lighten the look. Lucite bar stools and complimentary graphic striped pillows and area rug bring additional modern touches to the room.

Clean-lined, modern fabric gives a fresh, tailored look to this antique carved arm chair; the piece helps tie the modern love seat into the overal traditional architectural setting.

In a later post, I’ll expand on how I like using this approach in an entire room, beyond just the furniture.

sues-signature3-300x1841

Filed Under: Cool Things, Design Solutions, Featured Tagged With: American design, Connecticut interior designer, high-end interior designer in New York City, S.B. Long Interiors

Comments

  1. Lane Brooks says

    April 12, 2013 at 9:44 am

    HI Sue – I love this post and your photography. Great examples of your topic. btw, next time you’re in the D&D building you have to stop by and see the new Christopher Peacock showroom.

    Reply
    • Susan Bednar Long says

      April 29, 2013 at 12:10 pm

      Thanks Lane! Will do!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by design and the subtle impact of our surroundings. Some of my earliest influences still resonate – I think of the dark woods and textured lodens of my father’s shooting club, the smell of fresh paint on a new canvas, and the bold symmetry of the Philip Johnson Glass house just down the street. For me, it was a natural path to become an Interior Designer. I love what I do. I’ve created this Blog to share my thoughts, finds and design inspirations. I hope you enjoy it!

Categories

  • Artists I Love
  • Cool Things
  • Design Solutions
  • Events
  • Featured
  • Finds
  • Inspirations
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Works in Progress

Search this website

LET’S GET SOCIAL

LET’S GET SOCIAL

CONTACT US

972.803.6304
info@sblonginteriors.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @SBLONGINTERIORS

Lots of elegant inspiration in Palm Beach 💙💙 Lots of elegant inspiration in Palm Beach 💙💙 
.
.
.
#sblonginteriors #ralphlauren #designerslife #sbltravels  #dallasdesigner #highendinteriordesigners #addisonmizner #icaa #spanishstyle #palmbeachstyle  #gardendesign #interiordesign #interiordesigninspiration #interiorinspiration #moderntraditional
This eye-catching chandelier was a the perfect foc This eye-catching chandelier was a the perfect focal point for our #SBLRyeModernTraditional Dining Room. 
.
.
.
#sblonginteriors #dallasdesign #diningroomdecor #dallasdesigner #decor #decoration #design #highendinteriordesigners #highlandparkdesigner #highlandparkrealestate #highlandparktx #homedecor #homedesign #instadecor #interioraccessories #interiordecoration #interiordesign #interiordesigninspiration #interiorinspiration #interiors #luxuryhomes #luxuryinteriors #luxurylifestyle #luxuryrealestate #moderntraditional #renovationproject #transitionaldesign
The gallery feel of our #SBLHighlandParkModern ent The gallery feel of our #SBLHighlandParkModern entry was a fun one to create. I love how all these pieces work together! 
.
.
.
#sblonginteriors #SBLHighlandParkModern #dallasdesign #dallasdesigner #decor #decoration #design #highendinteriordesigners #highlandparkdesigner #highlandparkrealestate #highlandparktx #homedecor #homedesign #instadecor #interioraccessories #interiordecoration #interiordesign #interiordesigninspiration #interiorinspiration #interiors #luxuryhomes #luxuryinteriors #luxurylifestyle #luxuryrealestate #moderntraditional #renovationproject #transitionaldesign
Love all of @jennyoconnorstudio special touches ma Love all of @jennyoconnorstudio special touches made for the @dhome shoot for our #SBLHighlandParkModern project!

Regram via @jennyoconnorstudio 
.
.
.
#sblonginteriors #SBLHighlandParkModern #dallasdesign #dallasdesigner #decor #decoration #design #highendinteriordesigners #highlandparkdesigner #highlandparkrealestate #highlandparktx #homedecor #homedesign #instadecor #interioraccessories #interiordecoration #interiordesign #interiordesigninspiration #interiorinspiration #interiors #luxuryhomes #luxuryinteriors #luxurylifestyle #luxuryrealestate #moderntraditional #renovationproject #transitionaldesign
The calming blues and nickel accents make this bat The calming blues and nickel accents make this bathroom the ultimate relaxation space!
.
.
.
#sblonginteriors #SBLRyeModernTraditional #dallasdesign #blueandwhite #dallasdesigner #decor #bathroomdecor #decoration #design #nickel #bathroomdesign #highendinteriordesigners #highlandparkdesigner #highlandparkrealestate #highlandparktx #homedecor #homedesign  #interioraccessories #interiordecoration #interiordesign #interiordesigninspiration #interiorinspiration #interiors #luxuryhomes #luxuryinteriors #luxurylifestyle #luxuryrealestate #moderntraditional #renovationproject #transitionaldesign
  • Privacy Policy
  • Photography Policy
  • Copyright © 2020 – S·B Long Interiors – All Rights Reserved
  • SITE CREDITS

Copyright © 2021 · Copyright © SB Long Interiors · SITE CREDITS

Copyright © 2021 · SB Long Interiors Theme by FGD on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in